Il Capitano

My father wore a jacket full of stories With golden buttons shining in the sun He'd tell me of kingdoms he'd conquered And all the impossible things he'd done He said the world was waiting for a hero Someone brave enough to lead the way He owned the stage like a gifted actor I watched them hang on every word he'd say Oh, Il Capitano, that's what they called him The greatest man this town had ever known Il Capitano, the legend grew around him With a voice that could make the whole world his own As I got older, I saw behind the armor Little cracks beneath the painted smile The victories grew larger and larger But the truth got smaller every time He'd talk until the room believed him Like confidence could make it true But I noticed that his eyes kept searching For any doubt that might show through Oh, Il Capitano, that's what they called him The man who always knew what to do next Il Capitano, with answers for everything And never a reason to second-guess The crowd went home Spotlights went dark The medals came off The stories stopped He sat there alone Just my father No crown or kingdom No one to impress He was just a man Who feared being ordinary He was just a man Who feared I would see Oh, Il Capitano, I forgive him For the mask he wore to face the day Il Capitano, the hero we believed in Was only living a story anyway